ETA Prime has announced a new partnership with a major electronics manufacturer to create exclusive content showcasing their latest products and providing in-depth reviews for their audience.
AYANEO has unveiled the Pocket AIR Mini, their cheapest handheld device, with pricing starting at .99 for the 2+32GB model. The device is fully compatible with PS1, N64, Dreamcast, and Sega Saturn games, with limited compatibility for PS2 and GameCube titles. The selling point of the device is the new 4:3, 4.2-inch LCD screen that offers perfect upscaling for various games. The budget handheld runs on Android 11, which may limit compatibility with certain games and emulators. Pre-orders will begin in mid-October for international customers.
The Abxylute One Pro is a handheld device designed for game streaming with a large 7-inch FHD IPS screen, full-size controls, and a console-like software experience. It offers great streaming performance but struggles with local emulation compared to other handhelds at a similar price point. If you prioritize convenience and streaming over tinkering and emulation, the Abxylute One Pro is a great choice.
Clamshell handheld gaming devices like the Anbernic RG34XXSP have become popular due to their unique form factor and affordable prices. These devices run on custom builds of Linux and offer a variety of games up to N64 and Dreamcast. The RG34XXSP features dual sticks for better control and is portable enough to be carried in a pocket without the need for a case or screen protector. These retro handhelds are easy to recommend due to their low cost and variety of form factors.
Tony Warriner and Stoo Cambridge are developing a new action-arcade adventure game titled UrbX Warriors for Spectrum Next and PC. The game features two urban explorers, Alejandro and Ramona, who discover a perilous Mayan temple. Players will battle various adversaries and solve traps and puzzles. The project is currently on Kickstarter, having exceeded its funding goal of £6,000, with rewards including digital copies, standard editions, deluxe editions, and premium editions with a custom joystick. A demo is available on itch.io, and there are plans for potential releases on other platforms such as PSX, Switch, Dreamcast, and Amiga.
8BitMods has released the VMU Pro for the Sega Dreamcast, which is a handheld emulation machine for 8-bit games. It offers full backward compatibility, supports microSD cards up to 2TB, and features built-in emulators for popular consoles.
Plastic Battlegrounds is a sandbox toy-based battle simulator game that allows players to embody a plastic soldier and engage in battles and scenarios in different parts of a house. The game focuses on creativity and imagination rather than advanced AI or cutting-edge graphics.
The Playdate is a micro-console that supports innovative game development, with notable contributions from creators like Lucas Pope. Subset Games, known for titles like Into the Breach and FTL: Faster Than Light, is releasing Fulcrum Defender, a crank-operated shoot 'em up, as part of the Playdate's upcoming second season. The new season will feature a total of 12 games, released in pairs, with most titles currently undisclosed. Fulcrum Defender is set to launch on May 29 and aims to offer a fresh gameplay dynamic. The Playdate's design is well-suited for fast-paced, score-driven games, making it a significant platform for creative gaming experiences.
The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) invited the gaming community to vote for the most influential video game of all time. The results named Yu Suzuki's 1999 Dreamcast title, Shenmue, as the most influential game, praised for pioneering open-world gameplay and popularizing Quick Time Events (QTEs). The subsequent rankings included Doom in second place, Super Mario Bros in third, Half-Life in fourth, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Minecraft in fifth and sixth, respectively. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 was ranked seventh, despite being a recent release. The voting process raised questions about the interpretation of "most influential," as some voters seemed to equate it with personal enjoyment, leading to unexpected results. The full list of the BAFTA's most influential games includes:
1. Shenmue
2. Doom
3. Super Mario Bros
4. Half-Life
5. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
6. Minecraft
7. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
8. Super Mario 64
9. Half-Life 2
10. The Sims
11. Tetris
12. Tomb Raider
13. Pong
14. Metal Gear Solid
15. World of Warcraft
16. Baldur's Gate 3
17. Final Fantasy VII
18. Dark Souls
19. Grand Theft Auto 3
20. Skyrim
21. Grand Theft Auto
